Swimming device.



P. J. GASPERS.

SWIMMING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT.16,1912.

Patented Jan. 6, 1914.

INVENZ'OR 4 W 1 W A; Al/mmy COLUMBIA PLANDGR/HH 130.. WASHINGTON n. c.

PETER J. CASPER/S, OF MELROSE, MINNESOTA.

SWIMMING DEVICE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 6, 1914.

Application filed September 16, 1912. Serial No. 720,601.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, PETER J. CAsPERs, a citizen of the United States, residing at Melrose, in the county of Stearns and State of Minnesota, have invented new and useful Improvements in Swimming Devices, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates broadly to a swimming device, and more specifically to a device that can be carried by the hand of the operator and comprises a body portion having a pair of spaced apart wings pivoted thereto, said wings being pivoted in such a manner so that the backward movement is limited as well as the forward movement, that is, when the operator commences his stroke the wings will be spread into an open position to give the maximum amount of resistance to the water, yet when the stroke is finished and the operators arms are removed to the former position, the wings will be folded upon the body portion, yet their ends will not engage each other, this being for the purpose that will be hereinafter set forth. As the edges of the wings engage each other when the operators arm is regaining its former position, they would not readily open when a stroke isst-arted because of the fact that the pressure of the water will be against the diagonal sides thereof so as to force the ends of the wings in engagement with each other instead of forcing them apart.

In my invention I have provided a peculiar form of hinge which only allows the wings to fold upon the body portion a certain distance, and which holds the ends of the wings out of engagement with each other whereby when the stroke is started the water will be forced between the wings and they will consequently be opened to give the minimum resistance.

My invention as disclosed herewith consists of but a few simple parts and is characterized by elements of strength and lightness to a marked degree this being very essential to the eflicient operation of the device because of the fact that if the device were very heavy it would soon tire the operator out and on the other hand if it were not durable it would easily become broken by constant use.

With the above and other objects in view, my invention consists in such details of construct-ion and in the arrangement and combination of parts as will be hereinafter fully described and specifically pointed out in the appended claim.

Figure 1 is a side elevation of my invention as in place upon the operators hand. Fig. 2 is a bottom view showing the wings while offering the maximum amount of resistance to the water.

In the accompanying drawings wherein is illustrated the preferred form of my invention the numeral 10 designates the body portion of the device which is substantially elongated in form, and which has secured to opposite sides thereon through the medium of set screws 11 straps 13 and 14:. The straps 13 have apertures 15 pivoted thereon while the other straps carry buckles 16 as is apparent. By the provision of the pairs of straps upon the body portion it will be apparent upon referring to Fig. 1 that the device can be readily secured upon the hand and wrist of the operator in such a manner as to securely hold the same in position and prevent the lateral movement thereof.

The wings above mentioned in connection with my invention, consist broadly of a body portion 17 being elongated in form and having a sleeve 18 formed from one of the long sides thereof, while collars 19 are struck from both of the short sides. The side of the wings which are not provided with the sleeve is disposed adjacent the body portion and the wings are secured in place through the medium of the means that will be hereinafter set forth.

The hinges provided in connection with my invention consist of a single strand of wire bent as at 20 to form, suit-able side pieces, and again at 21 to provide pintles 22 for pivotal engagement with staples 23, spaced apart upon the body portion. The ends of the strands are then upturned as shown at 24 so that the lateral movement of the same is prevented and efficient operation of the device is assured. The collars and sleeves of the wings are disposed about the hinge as is clearly shown and the staples being spaced from the outer edges of the body portion only allow the wings to be opened a certain distance, however the curved ends 24; of the hinges limit the innermost movement of the wings as is apparent and above mentioned.

In the operation of my device, the device during the stroke is in a position illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, the wings offering the maximum amount of resistance to the water, but as the operators arm is drawn backward to begin another stroke the wings will be folded as is shown in Fig. 3, the bent portions 24 of the hinge holding them out of engagement wit-h each other whereby they ofier the minimum amount of resistance.

It is thought from the foregoing that the advantages and novel features of my device will be fully appreciated.

I desire it to be understood that I may make slight changes in the construction and in the arrangement and combination of the several parts, provided such changes fall within the scope of the sub-joined claims.

Having thus fully described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is In a device for use in swimming, a blocklike body portion, wings including frames formed of rectangular wires, the ends of the wires forming said frames being disposed beneath the block inwardly of the margins thereof and having their terminal ends bent angularly to the plane of the wings to form stop portions adapted for engagement with said block, and staples hinging said wires to the block, certain of said staples being disposed adjacent said stop portions to resist longitudinal movement of the wings with respect to the block.

PETER J. CASPERS. lVitnesses r J. H. VVELLE.

H. C. STALBOERGER.

Copies of this patent may he obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents. Washington, D. Q. 

